U.S. Women's Champion Anna Zatonskih, who is feeling much better, said Kamsky-Nakamura was likely to be "the game of the tournament." Indeed, it started out by fulfilling all expectations for excitement with an English transposition into the exciting Qb3 Russian Variation against the Grunfeld Defense. Kamsky, playing Black, seemed to be much better through the opening and middlegame, but Hikaru had his chances too, and the game finally ended in a fair and well-fought draw.

In the other match-up between leaders ,GM Josh Friedel surprised GM Yury Shulman in the opening with 15.Qd6, but then misplayed,got into a worse endgame, and made a final mistake with Re7, allowing Rg2+ and Rxg4.

GM Varuzhan Akobian, Photo Betsy Dynako

GM Varuzhan Akobian was happy to accept GM Jaan Ehlvest's pawn sacrifice against the French and managed to diffuse the queen sack with counter-sacks.

GM Robert Hess continues to rebound from his loss against Hikaru Nakamura, and won today against GM Melikset Khachiyan in a Keres Sicilian. He's now just half a point behind the leaders and faces Gata Kamsky in round six.